Sandusky Sentenced to 30 to 60 Years in Prison for Child Sex Abuse

By Nicole Johnson, JD on October 10, 2012 10:52 AM

Jerry Sandusky, a convicted child sex abuser from Pennsylvania, was formally sentenced on Tuesday to a minimum of 30 years in prison for his abuse of several young boys during his time as assistant football coach at Penn State. During the sentencing, Judge John Cleland stated that the “dangerous” Sandusky will not be eligible for parole for 30 years and will face no more than 60 years in prison, with credit for time served.

In pleading for his innocence on the day before sentencing, Sandusy was heard in an audio recording stating “[T]hey could take away my life, they could make me out as a monster, they could treat me as a monster, but they can’t take away my heart. In my heart, I know I did not do these alleged disgusting acts.”

While this ruling ends the high-profile, often emotional trial that chronicled the abuse of 10 boys over a 15-year period, Sandusky’s lawyers say that he claims his innocence and plans to appeal.

Currently 68, Sandusky is likely to die in prison, according to court documents.